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| Down to Earth Month in April offers eco-focused winery events statewide, including Earth Day in Green Valley featuring 10 wineries at Iron Horse Vineyards, pictured right. | |
SAN FRANCISCO — Eco-conscious consumers have many ways to celebrate with sustainably produced wines during California’s 6th Annual Down to Earth Month in April. California wineries will be offering dozens of sustainability-focused events and activities throughout the month from Earth Day wine festivals, farm-to-glass tours and walks with the winemaker to vineyard hikes, VIP eco-tours and more.
Created by Wine Institute — the association of nearly 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses — Down to Earth Month raises awareness about the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) Sustainable Winegrowing Program, one of the most comprehensive and widely adopted in the world, involving vineyards that grow 70 percent of winegrapes and wineries that produce 80 percent of all California wine. California is the world’s fourth-largest wine producer and the scale and comprehensiveness of the program covering vineyards, wineries and communities is a remarkable accomplishment.
“Consumers care about how their wines are grown and made, and our Down to Earth Month celebration is a way for people to learn about California’s world leadership in sustainable winegrowing,” said Bobby Koch, President and CEO of Wine Institute. “In a recent survey, members of the wine trade said that they anticipate consumer demand for wines produced with sustainable practices to grow substantially over the next decade.”
The sustainability commitment of California’s vintners and grapegrowers has been recognized by the California Legislature which has introduced a joint resolution proclaiming April 2017 as “Down to Earth Month” in California.
April’s events are happening throughout California with new ones being added daily at: www.discovercaliforniawines.com/d2e.
North Coast
On April 22, visit Napa Valley wineries and restaurants and stop by the Earth Day Festival in downtown Napa’s Oxbow Commons. Enjoy local wines and foods, local bands and kids’ activities. Napa Valley Vintners, an event sponsor, has committed to having all its eligible winery members in the Napa Green program by the end of 2020.
Sonoma County Winegrowers are committed to the county’s wines being 100 percent sustainable by 2019. A great way to explore Sonoma wines and green practices is at the Dry Creek Valley Passport Weekend April 28-30. More than 45 wineries are offering themed parties with food and wine pairings, regional chefs and vintners, and vineyard tours that offer a closer look at their winegrowing practices.
In the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, the Celebrate Earth Day in Green Valley festival April 23 offers the chance to taste wines from 10 local wineries pouring at Iron Horse Vineyards. California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross will discuss the future of food, while Chef Traci Des Jardins will showcase the “Impossible Burger” made entirely of plants. Guests can enjoy a National Geographic food photography exhibit. Proceeds benefit Sustainable Conservation.
Inland Valleys
About 90 miles northeast of the San Francisco Bay Area is Lodi, Wine Enthusiast’s 2015 Wine Region of the Year. The 2nd Annual Lodi Wine & Food Festival on April 1 provides an opportunity to taste wines from more than 30 wineries, many of which use sustainable practices. Food from local restaurants and caterers, wine pairings, blind wine tastings, olive oil tasting and live music are all part of the day.
Sierra Foothills
The Sierra Foothills wine region offers some of California’s highest elevation vineyards. El Dorado Wine Association’s 26th Annual Passport Event takes place April 22-23 and April 29-30 and is a chance to explore 20 of the region’s wineries, including participants in sustainable winegrowing efforts. Guests can sample local wines, buy gifts made by regional artisans and enjoy delicious food tastings.
Central Coast & Santa Cruz Mountains
In the Santa Cruz Mountains wine region, more than 50 wineries will offer special tastings during Passport Day on April 15, one of four times a year when wineries of this region come together to offer their wines. Another area tour is the Organic Wine Trail of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The Santa Barbara Vintners Festival Grand Tasting on Earth Day April 22 is the largest tasting of Santa Barbara County wines of the year. Wine lovers can celebrate with more than 100 wineries and winemakers, more than 30 food purveyors and chefs, regional artists and more.
Southern California
San Diego offers the VinDiego Wine and Food Festival, a fun experience with 70 wineries, including many certified sustainable, on April 8. Known as the largest wine tasting in San Diego, the event offers guests a chance to sip among hundreds of California’s finest award-winning wines and enjoy gourmet bites and live music at NTC Liberty Station arts district.
California Sustainable Winegrowing
California is a world leader in sustainable winegrowing practices. The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), established by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers 15 years ago, is a three-time recipient of the governor’s top environmental award for increasing adoption of sustainable winegrowing practices in California. More than 2,000 wineries and vineyards in California participate in the CSWA program.
Many wineries and vineyards around the state have also earned CSWA’s Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing status with verification by a third-party auditor. Certified wineries will soon be able to include a “CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE” logo on their bottle labels beginning with the 2017 harvest.
Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing and other statewide and regional programs such as Bay Area Green Business Program, Fish Friendly Farming, Lodi Rules, Napa Green and Sustainability in Practice (SIP) play vital roles in the California wine community’s efforts to produce high quality wine that is environmentally sound, economically feasible and socially responsible. To learn more, visit: www.discovercaliforniawines.com/sustainable-winegrowing.
Explore all of the Down to Earth Month activities at www.discovercaliforniawines.com/d2e or to earn a certificate as a Sustainable Winegrowing Ambassador, take a free one-hour course here.
Journalists requiring further information should contact the Wine Institute Communications Dept.
2017 Down To Earth Events, Tours and Offers in California Wine Country
NORTH COAST
Spring Suckering at Alpha Omega
April 4, 2017
Time: 2:00 pm
Cost: Free
Alpha Omega, Rutherford, Napa Valley
707/963-9999, concierge@aowinery.com
Celebrate Earth Month by participating in an educational and hands-on suckering session in the vineyards led by Alpha Omega winemaker Jean Hoefliger and enologist Joel Antonio.
Flavors of Spring at Korbel Champagne Cellars
April 22, 2017
Time: 10:30 am-4:00 pm
Cost: $25
Korbel Champagne Cellars, Guerneville, Sonoma County
707/824-7316, webstore.info@korbel.com
Flavors of Spring at Korbel Champagne Cellars Celebrate Earth Day and enjoy the opening day of the historic garden tours at Korbel’s picturesque grounds.
Earth Day Napa
April 22, 2017
Time: 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Cost: Free
Oxbow Commons, Napa
taylorradek@gmail.com
Featuring exhibits, food, live entertainment, kids' activities – and of course, wine.
Down to Earth at Rodney Strong Vineyards
April 22, 2017
Time: 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Cost: Free
Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg, Sonoma County
hospitality@rodneystrong.com
Observe Earth Day with Ryan Decker, winegrower and viticulturist, as he leads a stroll through our River East Vineyard.
Earth Day Dog Hike
April 22, 2017
Time: 10:30 am-1:30 pm
Cost: $40
Saracina, Hopland, Mendocino County
707/670-0199, tastingbar@saracina.com
Take a 4-mile hike with pals and pooches, followed by a casual, catered wine country lunch.
Celebrate Earth Day in Green Valley
April 23, 2017
Time: 12:00 noon
Cost: $65
Iron Horse Vineyards, Sebastopol, Sonoma County
707/887-1507, joy@ironhorsevineyards.com
Celebrate Earth Day with 10 Green Valley wineries and an “Impossible Burger” made entirely from plants. Proceeds benefit Sustainable Conservation.
Passport to Dry Creek Valley
April 28-30, 2017
Time: Varies
Cost: $55-$200
Venues throughout Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
707/433-3031, info@wdcv.com
Tastings, food and wine pairings, and a vineyard tours highlighting how sustainability operates in the vineyards.
Earth Day Hike and Wine Tasting
April 22, 2017
Time: 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Cost: $20-$30
Benziger Family Winery, Glen Ellen, Sonoma County
707/935-3052; alandolt@benziger.com
Celebrate Mother Earth with an hour-long hike around our Sonoma Mountain property followed by a tasting of Biodynamic wines. Open to Club Members and the general public.
SAN FRANCISCO SOUTH & EAST BAYS, SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS
Organic Wine Trail of the Santa Cruz Mountains
Cost: Varies
Venues throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains
http://www.organicwinetrail.org/
Visit eight certified organic Santa Cruz Mountain vineyards, some with tasting rooms, some by appointment.
Cooper Garrod Walk with the Winemaker
April 1, 2017
Time: 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Cooper Garrod Estate Vineyards & Silver Mountain Vineyards, Santa Clara County
408/867-7116, doris@cgv.com
Go from grape to glass and find out what it takes to become a Certified Sustainable estate vineyard and winery.
Wines & Vines Class at Captain Vineyards
April 9, 2017
Time: 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Cost: $43
Captain Vineyards, Moraga, Contra Costa County
925/631-0714
Captain Vineyards, the first green winery in Contra Costa County, will show you how wine is processed using green and sustainable practices. Barrel tasting and cheese pairing included.
Santa Cruz Mountains 2017 Passport Day
April 15, 2017
Time: 12:00 noon-5:00 pm
Cost: $65
Participating Santa Cruz Mountains wineries
831/685-8463, robynnen@scmwa.com
50+ wineries throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains, each offering a unique winery experience.
INLAND VALLEYS
Lodi Wine & Food Festival
April 1, 2017
Time: Varies
Cost: $50-$65
Ole Mettler Grape Pavilion, Lodi
Located in Lodi, Wine Enthusiast’s 2015 Wine Region of the Year.
CENTRAL COAST: MONTEREY & SANTA BARBARA
Back to Earth in Monterey Wine Country at Scheid Vineyards
April 1-30, 2017
Time: 11:00 am-5:00 pm
Cost: $10-$20
Scheid Vineyards, Greenfield
831/386-0316
Learn about Scheid’s commitment to sustainability while tasting handcrafted wines on their spacious deck.
Santa Barbara Vintners Festival Grand Tasting
April 22, 2017
Time: 12:00 noon-4:00 pm
Cost: $35-$200
River View Park, Buellton
The Vintners Festival is the largest tasting of Santa Barbara County wines of the year. Held this year on Earth Day, celebrate with 100 wineries, 30 food purveyors and chefs, regional artists and live music.
Cima Collina’s Earth Day Vertical Tasting
April 22, 2017
Time: 12:30 pm-5:00 pm
Cost: $15
Cima Collina Tasting Room, Carmel Valley, Monterey County
831/620-0645, david@cimacollina.com
Learn about Cima Collina’s sustainable farming practices while experiencing a vertical tasting of Hilltop Ranch Estate Pinot Noir.
Spring Vineyard Walk & Scavenger Hunt
April 23, 2017
Time: 11:00 am-1:30 pm
Cost: $40-$45
Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard, Solvang, Santa Barbara County
805/688-3032, karen@buttonwoodwinery.com
Search this sustainably farmed vineyard for scavenger items, ending with prizes, brunch and wine.
SIERRA FOOTHILLS
Farm to Glass Tour
April 1-30, 2017
Time: 11:00 am
Cost: $10
Vino Noceto, Plymouth, Amador County
Tour a sustainable vineyard, following the grapes from the vines to the bottle.
El Dorado Passport
April 22-23 and 29-30, 2017
Time: Varies
Cost: $20-$95
Venues throughout El Dorado County
916/862-0956, passport@eldoradowines.org
Access to 20+ participating wineries, some committed to sustainable growing and winemaking practices.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Ponte Winery Vineyard Estate Tour
April 1-30, 2017
Time: Varies
Cost: $32-$40
Ponte Winery, Temecula, Riverside County
951/694-8855, info@pontewinery.com
Tour a sustainable, working winery by electric bus.
South Coast Winery Behind the Scenes Tour
April 1-30, 2017
Time: 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Temecula, Riverside County
Cost: $40
951/587-9463
Our Behind the Scenes tour takes our guests on a 60-minute walking tour, from our California Sustainable vineyards to crush pad, followed by a 30-minute food and wine pairing.
Vineyard Tour and Olive Oil Tasting
April 2, 2017
Time: 1:00 pm
Cost: $10
Ramona Ranch Vineyard & Winery, Ramona, San Diego County
760/789-1622
Join us for a walking tour of the vineyard, discussing the importance of sustainability on viticulture, then sample Ramona Gold Olive Oil and learn what it takes to pass the laboratory criteria and tasting panel analysis from the California Olive Oil Council, while you sample local wines.
VinDiego Wine and Food Festival
April 8, 2017
Time: 3:00 pm-7:00 pm
Cost: $95-$135
NTC Liberty Station, San Diego
760/805-2131, david@vindiego.com
Known as the largest wine tasting in San Diego, the event offers guests a chance to sip among hundreds of California’s finest award-winning wines and enjoy gourmet bites and live music.
Blessing of the Vines
April 30, 2017
Time: 3:00 pm
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Temecula, Riverside County
Cost: Contact the winery, 951/587-9463
This fun event includes great wines, a buffet of farm-to-table locally-sourced food, unlimited games with vine-based prizes and tours through the sustainable vineyards.
From Garbage to Garden: Backyard Composting
April 30, 2017
Time: 12:00 noon
Ramona Ranch Vineyard & Winery, Ramona, San Diego County
Cost: Free
760/789-1622
Our Sustainability Director, Megan, is offering a fun, hands-on, how-to class on backyard composting and transforming kitchen waste into organic fertilizer with worms! Learn how to start, maintain and harvest an organic composting system and how to build a worm composting bin.
